The Legend of the Golden Horseshoe

Governor Spotswood The Legend of the Golden Horseshoe recalls the origins of Virginia History. In 1716, colonial governor Alexander Spotswood organized a daring expedition to explore the far reaches of the Virginia colony. Spotswood, aware of the frontier’s economic potential and bent on encouraging westward settlement, led a party of 63 men on the arduous journey.

Hugh Jones offered his account in 1724 of the toll taken by the rocky soil of the Piedmont and the Blue Ridge:

“For this expedition they were obliged to provide a great Quantity of Horse-Shoes (Things seldom used in the lower Parts of the Country, where there are few Stones). The Governor, upon their Return, presented each of his Companions with a Golden Horse-Shoe, some of which I have seen studded with valuable Stones resembling the Heads of Nails.”

Although several persons in the nineteenth century claimed to have seen them, none of the small, golden horse-shoes described by Jones have been found.

The Golden Horseshoe Golf Courses epitomize the tradition and mystique of Spotswood’s expedition: the challenge of daring adventure, the enjoyment of a peaceful and spectacular environment, and the reward of completing an arduous test.

A Golf Timeline

1600s-1700s

Virginia death inventories from Northampton and Norfolk counties list “goff clubs, golfe sticks, balls” as items included in estates. Quantities in one Norfolk County inventory are large enough to suggest the deceased was a golf equipment retailer. In addition, it is likely that Scottish and Irish immigrants to the colonies brought their favorite recreation to the New World.

1774 –1776

The last British colonial governor, John Murray, the Earl of Dunmore, was a Scot. Informal records indicate he played or practiced golf on the grounds of the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg.

1939-1941

The management of the Williamsburg Inn begins consideration of the addition of a golf course adjacent to the hotel, opened in 1937. Plans are shelved in 1941 when the United States enters World War II.

1945-1946

Design and construction begins on a nine-hole course at the Williamsburg Inn. Fred Findlay, a greenskeeper at the Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course, is the designer who lays out the course.

June 15, 1947

The nine-hole golf course opens to play for guests of the Williamsburg Inn. The first tee is located approximately 15 yards from the present first tee of the Golden Horseshoe Gold Course.

September 11, 1963

The Golden Horseshoe golf course, an 18-hole championship layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., opens to the public. Jones refers to the Golden Horseshoe course as “my finest design.” After completing the Golden Horseshoe course, Jones reconfigures the original nine-hole course, incorporating many of the existing tees and greens, as an executive-length course named the Spotswood Course.

October 31, 1964

The Spotswood Course opens to the public.

September 19, 1967

Touring golf professionals Jack Nicklaus and Mason Rudolph play an exhibition match against U.S. Amateur champion Marvin “Vinny” Giles and Sam Wallace Sr., the 1967 Virginia State Amateur champion. Nicklaus shot 67, a course record that stands today. Nicklaus birdied three of the last four holes to beat Giles by one stroke. Giles’ 68 that day remains the amateur course record.

August 1989

Construction begins on a second 18-hole championship course at Colonial Williamsburg. Rees Jones, second son of Robert Trent Jones Sr., is the course architect.

October 24, 1991

Grand Opening at the Golden Horseshoe Green Course.

May 19, 1997

The Golden Horseshoe Gold Course closes for renovation and restoration.

October 4, 1997

Restoration and renovation work on Gold Course complete.

July 1, 1998

Grand re-opening of the Golden Horseshoe Gold Course.

September 14-20, 1998

Golden Horseshoe Green Course is the venue for the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

September 7-9, 1999

The Golden Horseshoe Golf Courses were the sites for the USGA State Team Championships, featuring amateur teams from the 50 states and Puerto Rico. The men’s teams play the Gold Course and the women’s teams compete on the Green Course.

July 31-Aug. 3, 2002

U.S. Kids Golf World Championship played on the Gold and Green Courses.

July 29-Aug. 2, 2003